Commanders and NFL sued for collusion in toxic workplace scandal

Washington DC - The DC attorney general announced Thursday that his office is filing a civil consumer protection lawsuit against the Washington Commanders, owner Daniel Snyder, the NFL, and Commissioner Roger Goodell.

DC Attorney General Karl Racine at a news conference announcing a civil consumer protection lawsuit.
DC Attorney General Karl Racine at a news conference announcing a civil consumer protection lawsuit.  © REUTERS

The suit, the product of a yearlong investigation, alleges the Commanders and the league colluded to hide what they knew about pervasive workplace misconduct at the organization.

"We stand up for all DC residents," Attorney General Karl Racine said at a news conference. "We hold bad actors accountable when they cause harm. It means we seek justice. We use all the legal tools that we have to uncover the truth and right wrongs."

In June 2021, the NFL fined Snyder’s organization $10 million for having a toxic workplace culture, but did not publicly release the findings of independent investigator Beth Wilkinson.

"We were led to believe that the public would not be left out of the process; we were," Racine said. "We were led to believe that real change would happen; we’re still waiting."

Racine said that the Consumer Protection Act allows for a maximum fine of $5,000 for each lie or misstatement, and that "this case is going to require depositions, sworn testimony and accountability from some of the most powerful men and organizations in the United States of America."

Snyder and the Commanders are embroiled in multiple investigations on various fronts. Last week, the Snyders announced they had retained Bank of America Securities to look into selling all or part of the franchise.

Cover photo: REUTERS

More on NFL: